| Author | Message | ||
| Pauls Registered user Username: Pauls Post Number: 9 Registered: 9-2005 |
I am under a conviction that I have not been as kind to others who look, act, or believe differently than myself as I should have. I have not always spoken and acted out of a spirit of genuine concern for the well being of the other person, but rather out of my spiritual disease--the need to be right, the need to be in control, the need to be affirmed by having others look, act or believe like me. (i think this is part of the Adventist rot--or maybe just human nature) Sometimes I am arrogant, or think myself better than someone else, forgetting that we are all scared, confused and wounded sheep just trying to survive long enough to be rescued by the good shepherd. My wise father in law used to say when I criticized someone to him--you'd probably do the same if you were completely in their shoes--and the longer i live the more i believe it is true--without Christ, we are truly products of our genetics, environment and conditioning. But for the grace of Christ, I could be a thief, a drug addict, serial killer, a child molester, a violent criminal, or, God help me, a "Good" Christian. Praise God I don't have to be trapped alive in my own human destiny or remain there if I have chosen to live there in moments of foolishness or weakness! Lord teach me to love! If God is the Father of us all, then He is charge of all our lives, and I do not have the right or privelege of criticizing, looking down on, or judging any person, because what I am really critisizing is God's leadership...."for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" "in as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" Matt 25:40 I wish that I could go back and locate every instance where my Spirit was not the Spirit of Christ, and gather back my words and even my thoughts, but I do not know how to do this. Therefore, I will do what I can by apolagizing to those who feel they have been hurt, misunderstood or misaligned by me or others like me. If only we had known what we were doing at the time we did it! If any one on this site feels that my posts have been or in the future are tainted with that spirit, please confront me and then forgive me. Everyone here is like a big family and I appreciate the walk each of you has with God. The choices that you have made to get to this point in your life have not been easy or without all kinds of risks. God bless you for stepping out and standing up for Him. Press on for your reward is sure! He who has begun a work in you will be faithful to complete it! I appreciate the opportunity I feel I have here on this site to share a lot of things that are on my heart-both in the giving and receiving. I am not a part of a fellowship that will provide a forum for this level of discussion, introspection, and honesty. Most people want to keep things real shallow--like talk of the weather, tv or football scores. For my part, I will endeavor to speak an encouraging word to those who God allows to cross my path, and to always speak the "truth in love". Please keep me in your prayers, that I might remain "in Christ" relative to my thoughts, words or actions towards others! He that loveth not not knoweth not God: for God is love. 1 John 4:8 | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2764 Registered: 12-2003  |
Pauls, you are in my prayers, and we are glad you're here. Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1941 Registered: 3-2004  |
Pauls, Colleen has said on this forum many times that God redeems ALL OF OUR PAST. So when we let Him into our lives He will help us overcome what ever we have done in our past. You are in my prayers and We are glad you are here. Diana |
